Original Hacienda DJ Paulette is writing a tell-all book about her 30-year career
Welcome to the Club: The Life and Lessons of a Black Woman DJ will detail the highs and lows of DJ Paulette's career, from the Hacienda to Homoelectric
In a complete first for Manchester music legend DJ Paulette, she has revealed she is writing a new tell-all book – detailing her amazing 30-year career and shining a light on discrimination within the dance music world.
Titled Welcome To The Club: The Life And Lessons Of A Black Woman DJ, Paulette says it will tell the ‘candid story’ of her hugely successful DJ career, which has seen her hold high profile residencies at some of the best parties in the world, including the Hacienda, Ministry of Sound and Queen Club in Paris.
But as well as detailing the many highs of her career, it will also examine the lows in a ‘candid’ fashion – with Paulette promising to confront “the exclusion, misogyny, racism, and classism which still sadly characterise the dance music world and the broader industry” within its pages.
DJ Paulette pictured with Drag Race winner Krystal Versace at the 2021 BBC finale, which she soundtracked / Image: Dj Paulette
Described as both a memoir and a “call to arms”, Welcome To The Club will feature contributions from some of her fellow UK DJs including Dave Haslam, Gilles Peterson, Jamz Supernova, Sonique, Smokin Jo, Norman Jay and Jaguar.
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It’s sure to be filled with some amazing stories. She is, after all, a true dance music icon and has been at the heart of the global house scene for many years.
So the cat’s out of the bag – I have been commissioned to write ✍🏾 a book for Manchesteruniversitypress the title is Welcome To The Club – writing for 2022, published in 2023. Not ambitious at all for a first book 📕 🙃🤓✊🏾 https://t.co/ZXE3NTrHXO
A young DJ Paulette plays Flesh at The Hacienda / Image; DJ Paulette via The British Culture Archive. Original image by @jonshard.
Whilst still in her twenties Paulette made history as the Hacienda’s first female DJ resident, first coming on board to play the club’s gay night, Flesh Nites, with organizers bringing her in after seeing just one DJ set – which happened to be her debut.
She stayed for four and a half years, progressing to resident along the way, then moved down to London to play at the Garage club nights at Heaven, followed by residencies at Brighton’s The Zap Club and the Ministry of Sound.
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Later, in 2004, she lived in Paris for some time and has also done some stints in Ibiza, but today she can be found in her hometown of Manchester – the place where she was born and raised.
Speaking about her upcoming book, due to be published in 2023, she said: “I tell my story with authenticity and humour, gathering together a stellar array of the electronic music industry’s icons, gatekeepers and fierce future forces who have joined me in this fantastic voyage to put the wider, underlying issues into perspective.
DJ Paulette and Jenna G pictured together backstage at Manchester International Festival 2021 / Image: DJ Paulette
“It’s an epic and inspirational journey that I am excited to share with the world.”
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Sharing the news to Twitter, Paulette later added: “So the cat’s out the bag – I have been commissioned to write a book for Manchester University Press the title is Welcome To The Club – writing for 2022, published in 2023.
“Not ambitious at all for a first book.”
Tom Dark, the senior commissioning editor for Manchester University Press, was quick to snap up the book and has acquired world all language rights directly from the author for publication in 2023.
Dark said on the upcoming book: “I’m delighted to be publishing Paulette’s book. This is a real project of passion for her, and a chance to pass on her learnings to the next generation of creative women.”
According to Manchester University Press, preorders will not go live for another six to nine months – so if you want to get your hands on a copy early, they say that the best way to keep track of developments is to join the MUP newsletter here.
New cycle lanes and beer gardens closed as Northern Quarter building deemed ‘unsafe’
Daisy Jackson
A section of the new cycleway through the Northern Quarter has been temporarily closed just weeks after opening, after a historic building was deemed to be ‘unsafe’.
Metal fences have now been erected on Thomas Street, blocking part of the cycle lanes and taking over valuable outdoor space for the bars and restaurants along the street.
The building in question stands on the corner of Thomas Street and John Street, once home to the Al Faisal takeaway.
It’s part of a block of 19th century properties in the area that back in 2018 were deemed to be in ”imminent danger of collapse’.
The fencing has been erected around an unsafe building on Thomas Street while scaffolding is built. Credit: The Manc Group
Councillors now say that the Northern Quarter building is unsafe, and will need to be propped up with scaffolding.
The owners of the building want to protect its historic facade but are unable to begin work immediately due to the high construction costs.
But until the scaffolding can be built, temporary fencing has been erected to protect members of the public.
It’s understood that the work will take up to 10 working days to complete.
Several images of the fencing have been circulation on social media, with the NQHQ account tweeting: “If you thought the cycleway through the Northern Quarter was sh*t…..well it just got sh*tter.”
Piccadilly Labour have said: “Building on the corner unfortunately deemed unsafe. Cllr @JonConnorLyons met with the owners who are putting up scaffolding and want to preserve the facade of the building – current construction costs are incredibly high for them to proceed with the development plans this year.”
Councillor Jon-Connor Lyons then added: “Winter weather has made the building vulnerable & cracks have formed which has resulted in the building having to be supported by scaffolding, whilst this happens, these fences have been put up to protect the public. Some reveal in this sort – that is a shame.”
Although the fencing is there in the public’s interest, several local hospitality businesses are concerned about the impact this will have on trade – especially as the fencing has appeared during the heatwave, when punters will be wanting to be outdoors to make the most of the sunny weather.
The Smithfield Social, which is part-owned by the Courteeners’ Liam Fray, has lost a chunk of its outdoor seating – though it does still have space for tables on Edge Street.
A spokesperson for the bar said: “The building works which commenced yesterday have impacted our outside trade significantly.
“We usually have eight tables out the front but after lengthy talks with councils and licensing we have come up with a solution which means we now have a severely reduced area with only four tables.
“The area seems to be an after thought as we are the only business affected by it. Fierce have moved their area but they do not lose any space.
“I have no doubt that we have lost significant patronage because of this, as who wants to sit outside with heavy machinery next to you and dust being blown in your face? Quite unfortunate timing with the great weather we are forecast to have over the coming days.”
The Manc has approached Manchester City Council for comment.
Featured image: The Manc Group
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New stations appear across Manchester for city’s rentable ‘Burnham bike’ scheme
Daisy Jackson
The roll-out of Greater Manchester’s Bee Bike cycle hire scheme has stepped up a gear, with new docking stations appearing across the city centre.
The scheme, nicknamed the ‘Burnham bikes’ as a nod to London’s ‘Boris bikes’, initially launched in Salford and along the Oxford Road corridor.
Several new yellow stations have appeared around Manchester now, with plenty more on the way.
The next phase of the roll-out of the Bee Bikes has seen stations installed around St Peter’s Square and Manchester Central.
‘Burnham Bike’ cycle hire stations near St Peter’s Square. Credit: The Manc Group
By the time the scheme is complete, bike numbers will increase to 1,500, which will include 300 e-bikes.
It’s all part of the vision for a Bee Network – a joined-up, integrated public transport network across the region.
And it’s certainly off to a more successful start than Mobike, which famously withdrew from Manchester due to high levels of vandalism and theft.
The Bee Bikes are funded by TgGM and operated by Beryl, which runs similar schemes in London, Watford and Bournemouth.
Here you go – your new “Bee Bikes” which will be on our streets from November. 👇🏻
Many will be e-bikes and, in time, part of a single integrated payment system across bikes, buses and trams.
Richard Nickson, programme director, Cycling and Walking at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “The cycle hire scheme has really taken off in Greater Manchester since it was first introduced, and we are seeing significant numbers of riders and distances travelled by on the bikes- which is fantastic, particularly as we are still in the early days of the scheme’s roll out.
“The next phase of the roll-out has now started in Manchester city centre, with new stations installed at key locations including Manchester Central Library, Manchester Central Convention Centre and St Peter’s Square.
“More stations are due to be installed in Manchester city centre over the coming weeks, before the scheme continues to expand its footprint to new locations in Salford and Trafford.
“Once complete the scheme will see bike numbers increase to 1,500 – including 300 e-bikes – and over 150 new stations in operation.”
Georgina Pellant -
11th January 2022 
